News
Local

The family of Philip Aziz has formally filed a challenge against his will, the first step in a legal battle over the famed London artist's estate.

Relatives of Aziz -- who died at age 86 on Sept. 13 after a decade-long battle with cancer -- have concerns over what they call "undue influence" and "suspicious circumstances" around the will, court documents state.

"We're concerned . . . and we want to know more," said Ian Hull, the Toronto lawyer representing the family. "At this point, we just need information."

The challenge is spearheaded by two Aziz nephews, Charles and Peter, Hull said, but other family members are supportive of the effort.

The will left Aziz's art collection and his home -- a 0.8-hectare property surrounded on all sides by the University of Western Ontario -- to the non-profit foundation created last year in his name.

Co-executor Barry Callow, a longtime Aziz friend who has a strained relationship with the family, yesterday rejected any criticism of the will, saying he doubts the challenge will go far.

"(I have) full confidence in the legitimacy of the will," he said. "It's got nothing to do with my wishes, it's got nothing to do with the family's wishes, it's about Phil's wishes."

Callow served as Aziz's live-in caregiver in the years leading up to his death. The will, one of a few the artist drew up in recent years, states Callow can stay in the home for 21 years for a small annual rent.

If he's forced out, he is to be paid $100,000 by the foundation, the will states. Aziz also left Callow $200,000, along with $15,000 to an old girlfriend, Helen Melrose.

Callow, who says he's worried Aziz's contribution to art could be overshadowed by the legal battle, says the biggest beneficiary of the will would be his friend's legacy.

"The one that's going to really benefit out of (it) is Phil because it's his will," he said.

Hull, the family's lawyer, says he has been in contact with the lawyer represented the Philip Aziz Foundation of Art and hopes to resolve the conflict soon.

"It's incredibly stressful for everyone and I'm sure it's been stressful for Barry Callow. Everyone involved was very close to Philip Aziz," Hull said.

Born in St. Thomas and raised in London, it's believed Aziz took his first art lesson at what would later be known as the Monsignor Feeney Centre in Old South.

He studied at Yale and his work would eventually show around the world. His admirers included Salvador Dali. The Ford, Vanderbilt and Dupont families were among those who bought his work.